Overview

Macalester has been preparing students for world citizenship and providing an integrated international education for over six decades. The college challenges students to consider ideas from multiple perspectives, to be responsible global citizens and to forge solutions to problems that the world faces today and will encounter tomorrow. Macalester students come from every state and over 90 countries for an academic program ranked among the top 20 in the nation. They also benefit from the opportunity to learn in an international community with faculty who love to teach, a location that offers broad accessible research and internship opportunities, plus a friendly neighborhood. Most students study abroad for a semester, and graduates reap the benefits of a global education in the job market and at the nation's top graduate programs.

Academic

First-year student profile

Average ACT score: The middle 50% of enrolled students had ACT composite scores between 29 and 33; 63% of students presented the ACT as part of their applications.

Average SAT score: The middle 50% ranges were 630-750 for math, 650-750 for reading (excludes students for whom English is not their first language) and 640-720 for writing; 49% of students submitted the SAT as part of their applications.

Percentage from Minnesota: 14%

Percentage who live on campus: 100%

Cost

2017-18 undergraduate tuition and fees: $52,464

Room and board: $11,672

Percentage first-time undergraduates receiving financial-aid: 67%

Religious affiliation

None

Graduate outcomes

Use LinkedIn’s alumni tool* to explore what Macalester graduates majored in and the types of careers they have and with which companies.

5 largest majors:

Student/faculty ratio

Average class size

Faculty

180 full time, 68 part time; 94% of full-time faculty members hold the doctorate or highest degree in their field

Pre-professional programs

3-4 architecture

3-2 engineering

Law

Medical fields

Intercampus agreement

Students may take one course per term at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design with the approval of the Registrar's Office.

The Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC) is a partnership with Augsburg College, St. Catherine University, Hamline University, Macalester College and the University of St. Thomas. The partnership allows students to register for courses at the other colleges.

Honors program

Students of exceptionally high achievement are invited to undertake a special project of independent research or creative work in their senior year. Their work is evaluated by a small committee of faculty with special expertise in the field of the student's work.

Study abroad programs

Approximately 60% of Macalester students study abroad for at least one semester before graduating. Last year Mac students studied abroad on 101 programs going to 55 countries (not including the United States), on every continent except Antarctica.

In addition, 22% of Macalester students hold citizenship in another country with a total of 89 countries represented in the student body, making Macalester one of the most global campuses in the nation. Graduates reap the benefits of a global education in the job market and at top graduate programs.

Internships/career services

At more than 230 sites in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and around the country, Macalester students apply and acquire knowledge in active professional roles with organizations in the nonprofit, government or private sectors. Each year over 375 students do an internship for credit. By graduation, nearly 78% of all Macalester students report having completed at least one internship, with the majority done for academic credit.

Earning college credit in high school:

View a summary table of what is recognized and accepted as well as how many of those credits can be applied toward your degree.

Transfer criteria (credits, GPA):

Students must complete at least one full semester as a full-time, degree-seeking student at another college before applying. No more than the equivalent of 64 semester hours may be transferred. A GPA of 3.33 or higher is desired.

Financial aid information

Each admitted student receives a financial aid package that meets 100% of his or her demonstrated need for financial aid. Two out of three Macalester students receive need-based financial assistance. The average financial aid award for full-time students in 2015-16 was $42,348. Grants and scholarships made up 84% of the average financial aid package. More information

"I chose Mac for its emphasis on internationalism. The classes are incredibly insightful, and so are the conversations that spring from them. Beyond that, the many active clubs and college departments on campus create a learning process that involves the whole person — their character, their ethics and their compassion."